124 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



former and very similar case, in which the decomposing 

 body of the snake swallowed caused the death of its 

 destroyer, I had much doubt about the digestive powers of 

 this animal. But in the present instance the snake not 

 only digested its companion, but regained its appetite as 

 well as its normal size. On November 2, the keeper, 

 finding the creature moving about as if in search of food, 

 placed a pigeon in its den, which was seized and swallowed 

 immediately. It will be seen by this that a serpent of 

 eleven feet in length can not only swallow and digest 

 another serpent only about two feet shorter, but is ready 

 to feed again twenty-eight days afterwards." 



In Epicrates, a South American genus composed of six 

 species, the head is distinct from the neck, and covered 

 with moderately large shields. The body is rather slender 

 and somewhat compressed ; the nostrils are situated 

 between two or three shields. 



The Rainbow Boa, Epicrates cenchris, of Tropical 

 America, from Costa Rica to Northern Brazil, which 

 attains seven feet in length, is so called on account of its 

 marvellous iridescence, when exposed to sunlight. On 

 a dull day it is very insignificant looking, being pale brown 

 in colour, with rings of a slightly darker shade. 



Although frequently termed " Tree Boa," according to 

 Mr. R. R. Mole, it does not often ascend trees, but is 

 usually found in holes in the ground, or on palm-thatched 

 roofs. According to the same author, it is so exceedingly 

 fond of water that, in order to enjoy a bath, it will contrive 

 to get into a bottle of water in which it would be almost 

 impossible to put a dead specimen. 



The true Tree Boas of the genus Corallus, also of 



